Chocolate Raspberry Fatbombs

I love chocolate and I even love it more when it's mixed with raspberry.   It's amazing that on this low carb style, I can have anything I want if it's made properly.

Fatbombs is a newer area I am exploring.  I've been focusing more on increasing my fat intake-specifically coconut oil.  Coconut oil is becoming the newest super food.  Although it's not cheap, it goes a long way.  There are two types unrefined and refined.  Unrefined naturally a better version, but it does have a coconut taste.  Refined has no taste.  I use both.  My deciding factor is always whether I want the coconut undertone or not.

The more I began looking at fat bomb recipes, I realized how east I could make my own.   These came out wonderful.  It made 6 large fat bombs.  My mold is so big, you would only eat a half of one for a serving.

I'm using fat bombs as everyday fuel boosters in between meals.  Since my body is in ketosis from low carb, my body burns fat for energy.  These treats keep my body burning.  It's a much better choice compared to snacking on carbs and more satisfying.  Really with this recipe you could swap out different extracts for different flavors.

Choco Raspberry Fat Bombs
Servings 12

Raspberry Layer
4 ounces cream cheese-softened
1/2 cup refined coconut oil-melted
4 tbsp. Heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sweetner
1 tsp raspberry extract

Chocolate Layer
2 tbsp. Unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup refined coconut oil -melted
1/4 cup Sweetner

Make raspberry layer first.  It will take a good five minutes by hand.  Make sure to mix evenly until smoith.  Pour into silicone mold and refrigerate to set.

Make the chocolate layer.  This layer is easy to mix.   You could add extract to this part, but I prefer the contrast.  Pour on top of the raspberry layer and refrigerate for a couple hours.

Pop them out of the mold and store in an air-tight container.  Enjoy!

Compared to last year...

It is amazing what a year can do.  This time last year, my middle daughter was playing tennis.  I wanted to encourage, but never seem to have enough energy. 

Spring is in the air and now two of my children are playing tennis.  Yesterday we went out to play as a family.  I can now keep up with them.  I might not be as good, but I can easily run to get the ball and never need a break.  

The scale hasn't moved much lately in a downward direction, but the measurement of how good I feel is unmistakable!  So for now...it is time to be more active and get with it.  I am setting a goal.  It 4 months to my birthday.  I would like to lose 29lbs before then.  I think I can!

Happy Heart Day

Today is a day in honor of the heart.  Wow, do we think about how important our heart is?  I've looked for a healthy version dessert all week.  I ended up making my own!  Now I warn this is a little higher carb than normally I would eat.  It is my husband's favorite though.

Banana Cream Dessert
1 box sugar free pudding
1 Block cream cheese softened
1/2 tub cool whip

Mix all three ingredients and refrigerate.  Store in fridge tightly covered.

Pizza?

I love pizza!  My first job at age 15 was at a local pizza parlor.  It's where I met husband. We both love pizza.  I continue to try and try various low carb pizza recipes.  Here's a pic of my latest!

Exercise Isn't Easy

Exercise.  I need encouragement! For me, this is tougher than changing the foods I eat.  I reached out to my Facebook and had a wonderful response.  I know I can do this if I am not alone.  

Yesterday was my first day doing an app (HCP suggested) called Couch 2 5K.  There are a hundred apps for this, including free ones!  I went with one made by Active at $2.99.   The app takes you over a course of 9 weeks to build your body to a 5K.  There are 3 sessions per week.  You get a choice of "trainers" that goes over the session with you.   The trainer talks to you to keep you moving and tells you what to do.  Session 1 was a combination of walking and jogging.

Needless to say I did it.  The kids were fascinated at it, so I chose the Zombie as my trainer.   They were quite amused.   Guess what? I did the entire 30 minutes without quitting.  Now I admit my calves were pretty tight the last 9 minutes out of 30.  I was so worried about not being able to move.  I woke up today though with only the slightest bit of soreness in my calves.  I survived.  I even survived the zombie trainer!  Tomorrow, maybe I shall try the unicorn.

My quote to leave you with:  "All dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them." ~ Walt Disney

Refocused!

This past week I went for a check up with my HCP.  This way of eating is finally showing improvements concerning my health.  Yeah!  My resting heart rate is down significantly and so is my blood pressure.  Keeping accountable to my HCP is motivating because ultimately the numbers tell the truth.  So I've got refocused!  As of today I am down 68lbs!  I've lost more in the last 2 weeks than I have since the holidays.

I cannot encourage or emphasize enough the importance of doing this journey without a team which includes your doctor.  Not that it can't be done, it's just going to make it easier!

I've been blessed with 2 feet of snow that I can spend some time on me and recharge!  The pic is a snow day lunch.  Buffalo Chicken dip and veggies.  Who would ever think I could eat like that and lose?

Leaving you with a quote. "If you're tired of starting over, then stop giving up!"

Time to Exercise!

I got to visit my HCP this week.  I need to start exercising.  The visit was great and we can see my health improvements.  I was wanting to lose a lot before starting.  I am officially down 66.3 lbs today!  

So it is time that the exercise begins.  I have been doing some arm work with resistance bands for the last couple weeks, but it is time for cardio.  Thanks to my team (today it was my children) I workout to "Walk Away the Pounds".  (We are currently in a major snowstorm-snowzilla)  I made it through the whole mile with their encouragement.  They did it with  me.  What great family I have!! 

Walking is where I want to be.  With arthritis I have written off the idea of running.  However, I know walking is a great alternative.  So my goal is to do the mile via exercise video or outdoors 4 days a week for the next month.  I will do it every other day!  I am looking forward to seeing the results.

My blog quote today comes from the movie The Patriot which I watched again this week.   "Stay the course!"